Reform in the
"New World"
![Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas (1484-1566) to King Charles I (1500-1558), 1542](images/tm154-th.jpg)
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Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas is known throughout history
for his stand on the rights of native Americans. Shortly before
leaving Spain in 1542 to take the bishopric in Chiapas, New Spain
(Mexico), Las Casas penned this petition to King Charles I and the
Spanish Council of the Indies. In it, he presented thirty points
concerning how the clergy could reform the issues of slavery, death,
and rampant disregard for native life. The Council responded to
each point, which was annotated in the margins.
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